MURDER ARREST: Man Charged In Infant’s Death

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MURDER ARREST: Man Charged In Infant’s Death

A first degree murder charge has been filed in the death of an Oskaloosa infant.

Twenty-four-year-old Bryan Vilcone was arrested Tuesday following an investigation by the Oskaloosa Police Department and the Division of Criminal Investigation.

Officials say Vilcone, who was a friend of the family, was caring for seven-week-old Raelynn Hart on April 18th when she suffered internal head injuries. After Vilcone returned the child to her mother’s care, the mother noticed she was not acting normal and took her to a local hospital.

The child was transferred to a hospital in Des Moines where doctors noted severe internal head injuries. Hart died on April 21st from the injuries.

Investigators say they interviewed Vilcone, who admitted to shaking the child on at least three separate occasions on the afternoon of April 18th in order to stop the child’s crying. Vilcone allegedly said after the final time he shook her, Raelynn Hart was whimpering instead of crying.

An autopsy done by the Polk County Medical Examiner’s Office showed Hart likely died of abusive head trauma.